Dear JJ,

Greetings from the Oregon Music Education Association and welcome back to school!

This email contains OMEA news and important information for the Conference and All-State.

Pre-Registration for the conference is open via Opus. This discounted early registration ends on December 31st at 11:59pm. Click here to visit the conference website. Teachers are encouraged to register for the conference and secure housing as soon as possible!

Teachers are encouraged to register for the conference and to reserve a hotel room as soon as possible. Valley River Inn has housed All-State High School Choirs in the past. VRI is not available this January due to renovation. Additionally, there is a large volleyball tournament the same weekend creating a housing challenge. We are using more rooms at The Graduate to house our All-State students in addition to using multiple hotels in the area.

**The block at The Hyatt Place at Oakway is now full.

The Hult Center parking lot will be open at no cost.

The session and concert hour schedule is coming together!. A tentative schedule for the conference can be found by clicking here.

Individuals are invited to share new, unpublished research at a Research Poster Session included at the conference. Research on any topic related to music teaching and learning will be welcome. 

Submissions should be in abstract form (approximately 200–300 words) and include a title, description of the research question and methodology, and summary of results (or preliminary results for research in progress). Abstracts must be submitted electronically in Word format. Complete contact information, which includes name, institutional affiliation, and email address, should be included in a separate Word file. No identifying information should be included in the abstract.

The deadline for submissions is December 1, 2023. Notification of acceptance will be emailed to authors by December 15, 2023. It is necessary for at least one author to be present at the poster session. The poster session has been scheduled for Saturday, January 13, 2024. The author(s) of each accepted paper should furnish 20 copies of the abstract and 5 copies of the completed report at the time of the conference.

Abstracts and contact information should be sent electronically to the session chair, Dr. Jason M. Silveira, at jsilveir@uoregon.edu. 

Questions? Feel free to contact Elizabeth Soper using her email address, OMEAConferenceChair@gmail.com.

A record number of students have submitted auditions to OMEA All-State! As a teacher, you can log back in to your Opus page to view your students.

https://audition.opusevent.com/

Once logged in you can see all of your students who auditioned for All-State. If you wish, you can click on your students' name to view their registration profile and enter their personal/emergency information yourself.

Please email oregonmusicdirector@gmail.com if your students' parent/guardian have yet to receive the Opus generated email that includes a registration and pay link.

All-State students must be registered by November 19th or risk being dropped from their All-State ensemble. 

A reminder, teachers who have students selected to All-State must register for the conference per OMEA policy.

Reach out to All-State Chair Kristi Stingle at allstatechair@gmail.com.

What is Music In Our Schools Month®?

For more than 30 years, March has been officially designated by the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) for the observance of Music In Our Schools Month® (MIOSM®), the time of year when music education becomes the focus of schools across the nation. 

The purpose of MIOSM is to raise awareness of the importance of music education for all children – and to remind citizens that school is where all children should have access to music. MIOSM is an opportunity for music teachers to bring their music programs to the attention of the school and the community, and to display the benefits that school music brings to students of all ages. You can read more about it here: Music In Our Schools Month® (MIOSM®) - NAfME 

How will OMEA be involved in MIOSM®?

In the past, MIOSM® has been largely celebrated at individual school sites across Oregon. This year, OMEA will be piloting a state-wide MIOSM® Action Committee coordinated by the Advocacy chairs.  

Why should OMEA be involved in MIOSM®? 

MIOSM® is the largest nationally-coordinated music advocacy event. It is supported and championed by NAfME and their Advocacy Leadership Force. It is a chance for Oregon to be meaningfully involved in national-level advocacy and to harness the power of NAfME as we advocate for protecting and advancing music education.  

What are the goals of the MIOSM® Action Committee?

Designate at least one person per OMEA district as the MIOSM® Captain/Liaison 

Meet once every 5 or 6 weeks (virtually) for one hour to coordinate state-wide activities. 

Create a month-by-month checklist to build up to March activities, including sharing lesson plans.

Assign duties for committee members to spearhead activities during the month of March, including: 



Social Media Highlights

Creating shareable advocacy materials 

Toolkit for teachers and parents to share with stakeholders, including:

School administrators

District administrators (superintendents) and school board members

Local political leaders (city councils, mayors, State representatives, members of Congress) 

I want to be involved! How do I sign up? 

Fill out this quick GoogleForm, or reach out to Laura Arthur, Advocacy Co-chair, at larthur@pps.net. You do not need to commit to coming to meetings to be part of the committee. Thanks for considering! 

Follow OMEA on Instragram at "oregonmusiceducation."

You can also follow OMEA on Facebook by liking "Oregon Music Education Association."

OMEA social media is a great way to receive news and updates in real time!

The latest Oregon Music Educator was released at the end of October. Please click here to access OMEA publications. Issuu will now archive all OMEA publications dating back to 1948. These older editions will be posted as access becomes available for scanning.

If you are interested in submitting an article for our fall and/or spring release of the Oregon Music Educator, please contact Executive Director JJ Sutton, oregonmusicdirector@gmail.com.

A Small Schools Task Force Town Hall

Wednesday, November 8, 2023

8:00–9:00 PM ET

Featuring Oregon's Melissa Jmaeff!

A Small Schools Task Force Town Hall

Wednesday, November 8, 2023

8:00–9:00 PM ET

Featuring Oregon's Melissa Jmaeff!

Join members of NAfME’s Small Schools Initiative Task Force and other music educators serving small schools and rural communities throughout the United States for the first of three interactive town halls focusing on celebrating the small-school experience. This event will feature short presentations from experienced small-school music educators that will focus on how small schools can provide an exemplary music education. Small-school educators will have the opportunity for networking, discussion, and community building; and opportunities to gain a variety of actionable practical tips and strategies to support your teaching.

Teaching music at small schools affords unique opportunities and benefits. Come celebrate the small-school music education experience and share your successes, ideas, and questions with other small-school music teachers throughout the United States.

Register by clicking here.

WHAT IS CAN?

CAN is a multi-year grant initiative, funded by the US Department of Education, to create nationwide virtual Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) with educators in visual arts, music, theater, dance and media arts. The purpose of CAN is to build a sustainable model of professional learning for K-12 arts educators in public schools and public charters to strengthen their pedagogy, instruction, and leadership skills to better serve students.

WHO CAN APPLY? 

Music educators who teach grades K-12 who are interested in collaborating and sharing in professional learning communities for dance education focused on inclusion, diversity, equity and access and socio-emotional learning.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

NAfME is recruiting 150 K-12 dance educators to serve as PLC participants working with our team of national teacher leaders. These PLCs will meet virtually each month of the school year starting in January 2024 through June 2026 and will focus on professional learning in the areas of equity, diversity and inclusion; social emotional learning; and teacher leadership through an arts education lens.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

1. Be a current art educator at a PreK-12 public / public charter school and have support from your supervisor/principal. Please note: If you are teaching in NYC DOE public schools, please click here offsite link as you’re requested to join the local CAN project instead of the national CAN project.
2. Interest in & commitment to participating in a multi-year, monthly 1.5 hour PLC Meeting (Jan. 2024-June 2026)
3. Availability to attend evening and/or weekend meetings
4. Ability to work and meet remotely
5. Interest in growing your knowledge of Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion
6. Interest in growing your knowledge of how to embed Social-Emotional Learning in the classroom
7. Demonstrated skills in standards-based arts education instruction (ideally familiarity with the National Core Arts Standards)
8. Strong collaboration skills
9. A desire to participate in a shared space for arts educators of all disciplines to learn from each other

For more information on CAN and how to apply, please visit https://www.arteducators.org/promo/can. Please apply by Monday November 13, 2023! 

Connect with colleagues nationwide through online Professional Learning Communities. Together through the arts, we CAN make a difference in student learning!

The minority office of the House Appropriations Committee shared this press release today regarding the proposed education funding cuts. In August, we shared that the proposed cuts to Title I would result in more than 220,000 teaching positions being eliminated across the U.S. This press release contains a table that provides the estimated number of positions eliminated by state and district. (see attached)

Members of Congress need to hear from constituents about the impact of these funding cuts. We urge you to reach out to your state MEA members, inform them of the proposed cuts and call upon them to contact their legislators through this campaign. Also, share this campaign with other arts education orgs and advocates and urge them to participate. 

Please let me know if you have any questions. 

------------------------------

Jazzmone Sutton

State Advocacy Engagement Manager

National Association for Music Education

jazzmones@nafme.org | 571-323-5916

A Tri-M Music Honor Society chapter opens up a world of opportunities for students who have already shown themselves to be academically capable and musically gifted. Through performance and community service, they’ll develop confidence, creativity, critical thinking, compassion, and a host of other leadership skills sure to serve them well in school and beyond.

Click here to join or renew your Tri-M membership!

You’re invited!

Tri-M Advisors and Students are invited to the virtual National Fall Tri-M Rally! Connect and share ideas with chapters from across the country.

Thursday, November 9, 2023

7:00 PM ET/4:00 PM PT

Click here to Register!

Featured Service Project

Tri-M Students Help in Times of Tragedy

Valley Stream North High School (Chapter 2459, Franklin Square, New York) found a way to help their community to heal in the wake of the Farmingdale High School bus crash in late September. Music teachers Angelica Ansbacher and Rebecca Hayden from Valley Stream North High School approached their Tri-M students with the idea to sell music notes for $1 each, to help support a scholarship fund in memory of Gina Pellettiere who perished that day. In less than two weeks the students and staff were able to collect $700. The notes were written with messages, encouragement, and sympathy, and set to be hung on display in the school’s cafeteria.

Fall Induction Spotlights

Long Beach Middle School (David Lobenstein, Advisor, Chapter 9410, Lido Beach, New York) held their Tri-M Music Honor Society induction ceremony on October 3. Twenty-seven students were recognized as members, highlighting some of the school’s most accomplished young musicians. The school’s induction ceremony also featured guests from the Long Beach High School chapter officers who announced this year’s Junior Tri-M officers.

Wadsworth High School (Kaylin Davis, Advisor, Chapter 8912, Wadsworth, Ohio) inducted their student members on October 16, inducting over 25 new members this year. The Wadsworth High School chapter is excited to volunteer and give back to their community.

Congratulations to these 10 middle and high schools!

Meet some of the newest middle and high schools to start Tri-M chapters this year! Tri-M extends gratitude to the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) for continuing its generous collaboration, providing grants to 10 new Tri-M® chapters during the 2023–2024 academic year. Learn which 10 schools received grants.

Highlighted Resources

Planning your induction ceremony?

Visit the Tri-M Chapter Setup Guide for information on how to establish a chapter, create bylaws, elect officers, and find a sample induction ceremony template along with service project ideas!

Join the Tri-M online community.

Join the Tri-M Advisors Facebook Group to network and share ideas with other advisors from across the country. This is a great starting point if you are a new advisor!

Need service project ideas?

Check out our service project library to find ideas shared by other chapters.

Tri-M Swag

Make sure you have enough pins and certificates for your incoming members, and plenty of cords and medallions for your graduating students this spring. Our Tri-M Merchandise Web Store is easy to use and offers everything you need to recognize your members.

How Can We Help?

Tri-M staff are here to help you and your chapter however we can!

Contact us: Tri-M@nafme.org

Click here to access NAfME's latest e-newsletter.

The NFHS is currently accepting nominations for the NFHS Outstanding Music Educator Awards. Take advantage of this opportunity to recognize and honor an outstanding music educator in your state.

Please complete the Smartsheet form provided by the NFHS no later than November 15, 2023. If you have any questions, please email Ken Burke (kburke@nfhs.org).

Focus should be on significant and/or long-term contributions to interscholastic music. Additionally, the committee considers national professional contributions. Nominations must carry the endorsement of the state association.

Each state may nominate one person each year for the NFHS State Music Level Award. That nominee will also be considered by the selection committee for the NFHS Section Awards and the NFHS Music Citation Award.

Thank you for your assistance in honoring outstanding music educators throughout the country!         

Please fill out this Smartsheet form by November 15^th, 2023 with your state’s nomination.

Thanks, and please let us know if you have any questions!

James Weaver; Kyle Mills; Ken Burke

Hello, I hope the start of the school year is treating you well. Please take time out of your day to take this national survey conducted to assist states, schools, and other organizations in understanding the satisfaction levels of music educators across the United States. The survey should take around 7-minutes to complete and will include sections on:



1. Why you became a Music Educator
2. Your satisfaction as a Music Educator
3. The future of your Music Program
4. Demographic Information

The survey link can be found here.

The National Dashboard can be found here.

Thanks!

Kyle Mills, MSA

Manager of Performing Arts and Sports | NFHS Crew/Rowing Liaison

Below is the Winter 2023-24 schedule. Our winter meeting will be December 10th, visit www.nwapa.net for more information on this meeting and the winter season.

February 3

Winter Guard Premier at Tigard High School

February 17

Percussion and Winter Winds Premier at South Albany High School

March 2

Combined Show at Kamiak Hight School, Guard, Percussion, Winds

March 9

Winter Guard at Grants Pass High School

Percussion at Sherwood Middle School

March 16

Winter Guard at Kelso High School, Sponsored by NYMA

WGI Percussion Regional at Linfield University

March 23

Winter Guard at Glencoe High School

March 30

Winter Guard Championships at Liberty High School

April 6

Percussion and Winter Winds Championships at Sherwood High School

Contact Julie Bounds if you have any questions at president@nwapa.net.

Representative Susan Bonamici (OR-1) is the lead sponsor in Congress as she introduces the AEFA.

The Arts Education for All Act is the broadest arts education policy bill ever introduced in Congress and includes key provisions that will support and encourage the offering of arts education and programming experiences to Americans including our youngest learners, K-12 students, and young people impacted by the juvenile justice system. The bill will also include provisions that would allow for rigorous arts and arts education research to be carried out, to further inform how elementary and secondary

education in our country can be improved. 

Please click here to contact your local US Representative.

Advocacy and Music Education Supports

We all know that music is an essential part of our students’ academic and social-emotional learning. As the music education expert in your building and district, we strongly encourage you to reach out to your leadership, be involved, and advocate for your students, your music colleagues, and yourself. Remind your administrators that music is part of a well-rounded education, as defined at the federal level by the Every Student Succeeds Act. Here are a number of resources for you:

·   National Association for Music Education 

www.nafme.org

·   NAfME Backpack

https://nafme.org/my-classroom/nafme-backpack/

·   COVID-19 Resources 

https://nafme.org/covid-19/

·   Advocacy

https://nafme.org/advocacy/grassroots-action-center/

·   NAfME Advocacy Resources

https://nafme.org/advocacy/nafme-music-education-advocacy-resource-kit/

·   Virtual Learning Resources

https://nafme.org/my-classroom/virtual-learning-resources-for-music-educators/

·   Every Student Succeeds Act 

https://nafme.org/advocacy/essa/

·   Amplify (NAfME community chat and discussions) 

https://community.nafme.org/home

·   National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS)

Music Directors & Adjudicators

https://www.nfhs.org/activities-sports/music/

·   Articles on Performing Arts COVID-19 Guidance, COVID-19 Instrument Cleaning, Online Learning, Publishers Allowing Educational Use of Copyrighted Music, etc.

·   American Choral Directors Association 

www.acda.org

·   Resource for Choral Professionals During the Pandemic https://acda.org/resources-for-choral-professionals-during-a-pandemic/

·   ChoralNet (ACDA’s community chat and discussions)  www.choralnet.org  

·   OMEA Advocacy Committee

·   If you find yourself needing more assistance,

contact Laura Arthur, our OMEA Advocacy Chair.  

oregonmusicadvocacy@gmail.com



Laura Arthur 

larthur@pps.net



·   OMEA Advocacy Website